DISCLAIMER
Neither of these characters are mine even though you may not have heard of them. More to come. Hope you like it.
A figure stood at the head of a low, beautifully crafted boat leaning on a staff of gnarled wood, one heavily booted foot on the side. His eyes were hidden beneath the wide brim of his tall hat which sat atop a head of long silver hair. The boat made it's lazy way through the shrouds of fog that hung thick over the water. Apart from the creaking of taught rope and the lapping of the calm sea, an eerie silence surrounded him. It was a cold night and his dark robes were close around him, his rough grey cloak tucked firmly over his bearded chin. As he stared out into the swirling mist he heard footsteps approaching. He twisted his head round ever so slightly and gave a nod of acknowledgement to the new comer.
This man was dressed much the same as the first, except all in white. He wore neither hat nor hood and his well groomed, long white hair came down to the middle of his back. He bore before him a long stave of dark metal which was topped with a ball of pearly stone. He stood tall and silently behind his companion, staring out into the dullness. After a spell of silence, he at last turned his head to his friend and said in a low voice: "The mist aids our wish to remain hidden for the time being. There is much afoot in this country, and there maybe enemies abroad that would seek to hinder our coming." The other kept looking forward but spoke a reply.
"If Eru had permitted us to come in our full power we would have no need for such mist and secrecy." There was a slight air of bitterness in his voice. His friend raised an eye brow in slight surprise.
"I shall remind you, Olórin, that He sent us here to restore the balance, not to tip it either way, toward good or evil. Evil is brewing in the east, and undoubtably it will grow and cast a shadow across the land. But to come in our full strength would be just as worse and possibly force our foe into doing something drastic that could spell the end for all the free people of this land. And our master does not want that, and in His wisdom he has sent us in this manner. You would do well not to question His will." Olórin straightened up and turned to face his companion.
"I am not questioning His will, Curunír, mearly how he means us to vanquish such a powerfull enemy with no powers or weapons to do so. What ever He asks I will do, unquestioningly. Hence I stand before you know in this form." He sat on the side of the boat and drew his cloak further around him. "It seems to me that we are scuttling about like rats in a pantry, hiding for our foes that we have no tools to stop." His friend remained standing in a moment of thought.
"It is true that we have no physical weapons as of yet," he said at last, "And that our powers are diminshed in this realm of Arda. It is going to take all of our skill and cunning to bring down the enemy. But do not confuse the need for stratagy with cowadice. We need to be bold and risk much. And we must succeed. Think of it as a test from Eru." He came over to Olórin and, placing a hand on his shoulder, laughed quietly. "You worry too much my friend. We are not yet through the fog. Now is just the begining." They once again looked out of the boat. The mists began to disperse as they passed slowly into a harbour of grey stone. Olórin grunted a reply.
"The begining is the bit that I am worried about."